DIY Library Bag

Today's post is perhaps the best project for someone just starting out with a sewing machine. In fact, it was sewn by a beginning sewer, who had never even touched a machine before! That being said, I hope to make the instructions as clear as possible and would love feedback where needed.

Materials:* 20" of a durable fabric, 44" wide, canvas is preferable, but you can do outdoor fabric or upholstery fabric; try to get a cotton or polyester so it is easy to clean* 10" of a complimentary fabric, 44" wide (the stripe around the top of the bag)* 56" of straps by the yard (there are a few places this could be, ask a salesperson, they are usually helpful)* Spool of matching thread* Fabric marking pen/pencil* Fabric shears* Sewing machine, thread and pins* Iron and ironing board* Fray Check

To start with, ALWAYS wash and iron your fabric before you start any sewing project. This pre shrinks it and ironing ensures you are cutting straight.Now, straighten out the long sides of both fabrics. Here is a link to How to Quilt, which tells you how to make sure you edges are straight. As you will not be cutting strips, stop at the step before she tells you to cut strips.

Parallel to the long side of your complimentary fabric, mark and cut a strip 8" wide, fold in half length wise and cut the center, so you have two strips measuring 22" x 8".Fold your strap in half and cut on the fold. Put fray check on all ends to prevent fraying.Fold your 8" strips in half to make them 4" strips. Place your durable fabric on the table with the right side up. Line up each of your 4" strips, right side down, with the ends of your durable fabric and pin. (The 20" side and the 22"side should be touching.) Sew the two pieces of fabric together using a 1/2" seam allowance. Cut off the extra 2" from the 4" strip. Iron the seam toward the durable fabric and iron the fold of 4" strips. Find the center of each short end of the bag and place a pin. For the placement of the straps, you are going to line up the bottom edges of each strap with the seam for the 4" strip and the inside edge 3" from the center and pin in place. Now you will sew along the edge of the strap about 1/8" from the edge and make a rectangle where the strap touches the bag. Then, go back and satin stitch the bottom edges of each strap. Fold your fabric in half so the folds of 4" strips line up with right sides together. Pin the sides of the bag and sew with a 1/2" seam allowance. Iron the bottom fold to make a fold line and cut the fold ONLY in the seam allowance. Now, for the bottom corners of the bag. This is a little tricky, but go slow and you will get it right. At the bottom corners, match up the side seam and the bottom fold you just ironed to create a triangle (with right sides together), and iron the folds of the triangle. Then, mark 2" from the peak of the triangle along the seam and draw a line perpendicular to the seam (refer to picture below), pin and sew along the line, then cut the excess fabric about 1/4" from the seam just made.And that's it! Not too hard, all you need to do now is hit the library and fill it up with books!